Key-striker for piano-players.



No. 757,889. PATENTBD APR. 19, 1904.

J. GOURVILLB. KEY STRIKBR FOR PIANO PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT Q, 1902. I0 MODEL. 7

L "m: uonms wrrzns m, wow-mun" WASHINGTON. u. c,

UNITED STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

P TENT Orricn.

JOSEPH COURVILLE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO FARRAND ORGAN COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

, KEY-STRIKER FOR PIANO-PLAYERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,889, dated April 19, 1904.

Application filed September 9, 1902. Serial No. 122.681. (No model.)

T all whom, it WMLZ/ concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH COURVILLE, a.

' Players, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to mechanical players for musical instruments,and more particularly to the construction of key-strikers.

The instruments to which my improvement is applicable are of that type in which the keystrikers are in the form of horizontal levers and are actuated by pneumatic motors, which in turn are controlled by a perforated musicsheet. The pneumatic motors employed are usually single-acting and are adapted to actuate the strikers to depress the keys of the instrument, the return movement being effected partly by the return-spring in the motor and partly by the return movement of the key of the musical instrument. It has been found in practice with these instruments that in the performance of music in which the keys are rapidly operated the parts are not returned with sufficient speed to be ready for succes sive operations.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide means for returning the key-strikers independently of the return movement of the key of the instrument and of its actuating pneumatic motor.

It is a further. object to obtain a construe tion which is applicable to instruments having folding key-strikers and which will not interfere with the movement of said strikers into or out of playing position.

The invention therefore consists in the construction as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional ele vation, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view, of the keystriker.

A is the casingof a piano-player containing the pneumatic action B, having the key-actuating pneumatics C. These pneumatics are connected by vertical push-rods D with the key-strikers E. The latter are in the form of horizontal levers, which in their playing position are arranged with their inner ends in proximity to the upper ends of the push-rods D, while their outer ends project from the case of the musical instrument and are adapted upon actuation .to depress the same. The levers E are centrally fulcrurned to a bar F, preferably by means of depending bifurcated brackets G and pivot-pins H, passing through said brackets and the levers E. The bar F is connected to rock-arms H, hinged to the case and so arranged that when the player is not in use said bar may be turned back, thereby carrying the key-strikers into the case.

The parts thus far described have heretofore been used and form no part of the present invention except as hereinafter specified.

In the operation of the mechanism above described the actuation of the pneumatic C will cause the upward movement of the push-rod D, which will rock the lever E, so as to depress the key. In the return movement the return-spring of the pneumatic, together with the gravity of the push-rod D, will return these parts; but the striker itself could only be returned by the actuation of the key of the musical instrument.

Inasmuch as the action of the musical instrument is designed to return the key alone without other impediment it is evident that the additional work caused by the movement of the key-striker will retard the .quick return of the key. I have overcome this objection by providing each key-striker with a return-spring J, which is so arranged as to not interfere with the movement of the bar F when the strikers are turned back into the case. The spring J, I preferably form of spring-wire, one end of which is anchored by being driven into the bracket G between the furcations thereof. From this point the spring extends rearward and at its end is bent downward to engage with the groove K, formed near the end of the striker E. With this construction whenever the motor which has been actuated is released thetension of the springarm J will cause the return of the striker E independently of any actuation imparted gated rearwardly-extended spring-arm having an upwardly extended portion engaging a slotted portion of said bracket between the furcations thereof, and bearing against the up per surface of said lever.

2. In a piano-player, the combination with a horizontally-extending key-striking1ever,of a fulcrum-bar therefor having at its rearward side a depending bifurcated bracket, said keystriking lever being pivoted intermediate the lurcations of said bracket, a pneui'natic motor for actuating one end of said lever, and an elongated reaiwvardly-extended spring-arm having an upwardly-extended portion engaging areeessed portion of said bracket between the furcations thereof and bearing against the upper surface of said lever.

3. In a piano1 )la ver, the combination with a key-striking lever, of a su pporting-bar therefor having a depending bifurcated bracket, said keyrstriking lever being pivoted inter mediate the furcations of said bracket, means for actuating one end of said lever, and a spring-arm secured to the bracket at a point intermediate of and at the top of said 't'urcations, said spring bearing against the upper surface of said lever.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH UOURVILLIIG. Witnesses M. B. O.Doeimi-rrr, A. (i. ROBIGR'ISUN. 

